1. Describe the stasis in the play: where, when, who, what, etc. in a paragraph.
The action takes place in the Upper East side in Manhattan during the present-day. Our main character, Amir, is a successful lawyer working in the field of mergers andacquisitions. He lives in the luxury apartment with his wife, Emily, who is an aspiring painter. When we first meet them, Emily is painting a portrait of Amir by using his likeness create a work similar to The Portrait of Juan de Pareja painted by Diego Velazquez. Although they seem to love each other, it is evident to see early on that they have fundamental differences. Amir also has a nephew named Hussein (or "Abe) who seems to be having issues of his own. After the stasis is broken, we are shown two more vital characters: a husband and wife duo named Isaac and Jory.
2. What is the intrusion?
The intrusion of the play is when the New York Times publishes its article about Amir helping with the ongoing case of an Imam accused of aiding and abetting a terrorist. By the wording of the article, it appears as if Amir is representing the Imam as counsel, which is not true. This begins the dramatic action that will ensue throughout the latter stages of the play, particularly the dinner scene.
3. What is the unique factor?
This is the day that Amir realizes he isn't the person he thought he was.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
Who is Amir? What does it mean to be a Muslim-American after 9/11?
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
In terms of information known to most, Amir and Emily don't see eye to eye, and he is keeping information from her. This is further iterated by Isaac and Jory, who seem to see cracks in Amir and Emily's relationship. With information known to one, only Jory knows the real trouble that Amir is having at work. She also knows how the others feel about him, including his "mentor" Mort.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
The most theatrical moment in the play is when Amir beats Emily after learning of her one-night affair with Isaac. This moment, as described by the playwright, would be akin to seeing a volcano erupt. Amir has suppressed his true feelings for so long that all it took was one bad moment to snap. The movement of the two characters, along with the sound, would be incredibly theatrical.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
Acceptance Delusion Identity
8. What does the chief character want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of his getting what he wants?
Amir wants to be made partner of the firm. However, there are partners, such as Steve, who do not want him to be. Emily wants to be viewed as a top artist. However, she must find what ideas work best for her, and she must find a way to showcase her work. Later in the play, we find out Isaac wants to be with Emily. However, his marriage with Jory plus Emily's feeling for him stand in the way.
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
The painting of Juan de Pareja by Diego Velazquez is one of the most important images in the play. Juan de Pareja, who was born a slave and who died as a successful painter, is painted in a way that suggests his success. This was quite atypical of paintings of the day, which didn't portray slaves in this light. The significance of Amir standing in place of de Pareja is great because it is how Emily (and possibly the world, in general) sees Amir. He is a successful, dark-skinned man. However, this is not how Amir sees himself, which we find out by the end of the play. Another important image is the broken glass on the terrace that Amir breaks before dinner. This can be seen as foreshadowing for the events that follow, particularly the destruction of his marriage with Emily.
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
Family is important in this play because of what it doesn't show. For instance, Amir has done his best to submerge anything that has to do with his Muslim heritage. This is interesting because we never see Amir's parents or family members, except Abe. Abe is like the voice of his family and, thus, the Muslim culture he has left behind. However, Abe looks up to Amir. We are told by the final scene that Abe has tried to live his life and assemble his identity based on Amir. This is destructive, however, because Amir is not sure of his identity himself. We are also shown to marriages in the play: Amir with Emily and Isaac with Jory. They have the same differences in age, and they are both interracial couples. The two minorities work at the same firm while Isaac and Emily work in the art field. What really seperates them, however, is the treatment Jory has received by the firm versus Amir. Jory, and African-American woman, has received more preferential treatment than Amir, a Muslim-American man. This part is so interesting because it highlights the different shades that prejudice comes in and the importance of context.
The action takes place in the Upper East side in Manhattan during the present-day. Our main character, Amir, is a successful lawyer working in the field of mergers and acquisitions. He lives in the luxury apartment with his wife, Emily, who is an aspiring painter. When we first meet them, Emily is painting a portrait of Amir by using his likeness create a work similar to The Portrait of Juan de Pareja painted by Diego Velazquez. Although they seem to love each other, it is evident to see early on that they have fundamental differences. Amir also has a nephew named Hussein (or "Abe) who seems to be having issues of his own. After the stasis is broken, we are shown two more vital characters: a husband and wife duo named Isaac and Jory.
2. What is the intrusion?
The intrusion of the play is when the New York Times publishes its article about Amir helping with the ongoing case of an Imam accused of aiding and abetting a terrorist. By the wording of the article, it appears as if Amir is representing the Imam as counsel, which is not true. This begins the dramatic action that will ensue throughout the latter stages of the play, particularly the dinner scene.
3. What is the unique factor?
This is the day that Amir realizes he isn't the person he thought he was.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
Who is Amir? What does it mean to be a Muslim-American after 9/11?
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
In terms of information known to most, Amir and Emily don't see eye to eye, and he is keeping information from her. This is further iterated by Isaac and Jory, who seem to see cracks in Amir and Emily's relationship. With information known to one, only Jory knows the real trouble that Amir is having at work. She also knows how the others feel about him, including his "mentor" Mort.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
The most theatrical moment in the play is when Amir beats Emily after learning of her one-night affair with Isaac. This moment, as described by the playwright, would be akin to seeing a volcano erupt. Amir has suppressed his true feelings for so long that all it took was one bad moment to snap. The movement of the two characters, along with the sound, would be incredibly theatrical.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
Acceptance
Delusion
Identity
8. What does the chief character want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of his getting what he wants?
Amir wants to be made partner of the firm. However, there are partners, such as Steve, who do not want him to be. Emily wants to be viewed as a top artist. However, she must find what ideas work best for her, and she must find a way to showcase her work. Later in the play, we find out Isaac wants to be with Emily. However, his marriage with Jory plus Emily's feeling for him stand in the way.
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
The painting of Juan de Pareja by Diego Velazquez is one of the most important images in the play. Juan de Pareja, who was born a slave and who died as a successful painter, is painted in a way that suggests his success. This was quite atypical of paintings of the day, which didn't portray slaves in this light. The significance of Amir standing in place of de Pareja is great because it is how Emily (and possibly the world, in general) sees Amir. He is a successful, dark-skinned man. However, this is not how Amir sees himself, which we find out by the end of the play. Another important image is the broken glass on the terrace that Amir breaks before dinner. This can be seen as foreshadowing for the events that follow, particularly the destruction of his marriage with Emily.
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
Family is important in this play because of what it doesn't show. For instance, Amir has done his best to submerge anything that has to do with his Muslim heritage. This is interesting because we never see Amir's parents or family members, except Abe. Abe is like the voice of his family and, thus, the Muslim culture he has left behind. However, Abe looks up to Amir. We are told by the final scene that Abe has tried to live his life and assemble his identity based on Amir. This is destructive, however, because Amir is not sure of his identity himself. We are also shown to marriages in the play: Amir with Emily and Isaac with Jory. They have the same differences in age, and they are both interracial couples. The two minorities work at the same firm while Isaac and Emily work in the art field. What really seperates them, however, is the treatment Jory has received by the firm versus Amir. Jory, and African-American woman, has received more preferential treatment than Amir, a Muslim-American man. This part is so interesting because it highlights the different shades that prejudice comes in and the importance of context.